Duffield Dam
Duffield Dam is a masonry dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1880. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Duffield Dam
The primary purpose of Duffield Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Guilford Lakes Improvement Association (private). It impounds the East River near Guilford.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 203 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 185 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1880, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/11/2023.
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Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | New Haven |
| Nearest City | Guilford |
| River/Stream | East River |
| Coordinates | 41.32743, -72.68492 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 203 ft |
| Year Completed | 1880 (146 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 94 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Guilford Lakes Improvement Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/11/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00410 |
| Federal ID | CT00410 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |